Pipe Smoking Apparatus and Method

ABSTRACT

A pipe smoking apparatus comprises a metal wire or filament having a linear proximal end, a linear distal end and a plurality of shaped windings, the plurality of said shaped windings between and connecting the linear proximal end to the linear distal end with a gas passage formed from the shaped windings and the space inside the shaped windings. The pipe smoking apparatus further comprises an ornamental handle on a proximal end and a cleaning accessory on the distal end. Use of the pipe smoking apparatus involves surrounding the shaped windings with tobacco or a tobacco-like substance, applying heat, inhaling the combusting smoke, manipulating the tobacco-like substance with the handle on the proximal end, and cleaning the pipe with the distal end.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present utility patent application claims priority benefit of the U.S. provisional application for patent Ser. No. 62/601,699 titled “MATERIAL HOLDER FOR SMOKING PIPE” filed on Mar. 30, 2017 under 35 U.S.C. 119(e). The contents of this related provisional application are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes to the extent that such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith or limiting hereof.

RELATED CO-PENDING U.S. PATENT APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIX

Not applicable.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to recreational pipe smoking systems. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to a pipe smoking apparatus and method of use that replaces the use of a thin wire mesh screen and provides for the more efficient combustion and manipulation of the smoking material in a smoking pipe bowl while reducing or eliminating clogging from combustion byproducts.

2. Description of the Related Art

For centuries, people have enjoyed smoking tobacco and tobacco-like substances. And during this time, the pipe been the preferred choice for smoking because of its relative ease of manufacture and general durability.

Today's pipes may be made from a wide variety of materials ranging from wood to stone to tossed or molded ceramics to metal to glass. Furthermore, smoking pipes can range from very simple one-piece machine-made models to highly prized hand-made artisanal implements made by renowned pipe makers, which are often very expensive collector's items.

A typical smoking pipe comprises a bowl, a chamber, a draft hole, a shank, a joint, a stem, and a bit or mouthpiece. A typical pipe is mainly comprised of the bowl and the stem. The bowl is a cup-like outer shell, which is usually hand-held while packing, holding and smoking a pipe. Inside the bowl is a chamber which holds the smokable material. When drawn or inhaled by a user, the general stem delivers the smoke from the bowl to the user's mouth. At the bottom of the chamber is draft hole made as a passage for smoke flow where air has travelled and mixed through the combustible mixture in the chamber. The draft hole passes from the bowl, through the shank and stem. At the end of the shank, a simple joint connection such as a mortise and tenon may connect the shank to the stem. A typical pipe stem tapers down to the mouthpiece or bit which is held in a smoker's mouth. Other pipes may simply have a one-piece bowl, shank and stem assembly.

In a water pipe or hookah, the bowl is sometimes connected to the housing by a stem for introducing smoke into a fluid chamber where the smoke passes through water or flavored liquids where the smoke is filtered and cooled. In such a pipe, a screen is typically placed in the bottom of the bowl before the stem. A mouthpiece then communicates with the fluid chamber for drawing smoke from the burning bowl through the fluid chamber. Such mouthpieces may take the form of hoses or may simply be attached to the water chamber as an extension. Such pipes may have a purge valve in which the user generally covers an opening with his or her finger while drawing air through the bowl and combustion chamber. When a user removes his or her finger, air flow through the bowl is significantly reduced while air travels through the fluid chamber so as to clear smoke from the chamber. Various adaptations of this type of pipe have been implemented throughout the years, with a recent resurgence of demand for hookah- type pipes.

In most of today's smoking pipe systems, the bowl's chamber is separated from the draft hole by a metal screen. The metal screen serves to prevent clogging and to prevent burning material from entering a smoker's mouth, throat and lungs. Metal screens have been used extensively but have presented numerous problems with their use. Screens may become clogged after repeated use. Screens restrict airflow leading to inefficient combustion. Screens are made of various metal alloys, some of which may be emit and slough off potentially toxic substances when heated and manipulated. Finally, traditional pipe screens may not stay in place in certain pipe bowls as a result of the bowl being made of materials having a low coefficient of sliding friction, such materials largely being glass or glazed ceramics.

Various types of tobacco and tobacco-like products may be smoked in today's pipes. Tobacco and tobacco-like substances produce tars and resins when smoked, which may accumulate and clog a pipe's draft hole, stem and mouthpiece. Certain tobaccos and tobacco-like materials may be finer and more resinous than other materials. Other tobacco products may be mixed with molasses, glycerol and flavoring to form Mu'assel or Shisha. Such tobaccos and tobacco products are far more likely to clog a pipe bowl and draft hole. In many instances, a loaded pipe bowl must be stirred so as to prevent clogging and to facilitate efficient combustion of the tobacco or tobacco-like substance.

Presently, there exists a need for a more versatile pipe smoking system which prevents burning material from passing through the draft hole, while preventing clogging and allowing for optimal airflow. Furthermore, there exists a need for a system which will not emit and slough off potentially dangerous particles into a user's mouth, throat and lungs. Finally, there exists a need for a pipe screen replacement which remains in place in pipes made of materials having low coefficients of sliding friction.

SUMMARY

The present invention introduces a new technology, which overcomes the problems of pipe clogging, inefficient combustion, the sloughing off of potentially harmful particles from pipe screens, and poorly fitting screens which cannot be held in place. In addition, the present invention allows for the more efficient manipulation of smokable material when being used. Finally, the present invention may be used as a cleaning and scraping apparatus.

The pipe smoking apparatus and method is readily implementable across a wide variety of existing pipe smoking systems such as, but not limited to, traditional smoking pipes, water pipes, hookahs, and specialty glass and ceramic pipes where traditional screens generally do not remain in place.

In the preferred embodiment of the pipe smoking apparatus, a malleable metal wire or filament of a certain gauge having a linear proximal end, a linear distal end and a plurality of helical coil windings is inserted into a pipe bowl with the distal end of the wire extending into the draft hole of the pipe. Tobacco or a tobacco-like substance is then inserted into the pipe bowl, which surrounds the helical coil. This process creates a smoke passage from the coils as well as the aperture in the coil itself which allows smoke to pass from the chamber into the draft hole and into the pipe stem. At the proximal end of the apparatus is an ornamental yet insulating handle where the user may manipulate the position so as to stir the contents of the bowl and to clean the pipe when finished. Use of the smoking apparatus when placed in a pipe bowl and surrounded with tobacco or a tobacco-like substance involves applying heat to the material, inhaling the combusting smoke, and manipulating the tobacco-like substance with the handle when necessary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention directed by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1A is a top view of a prior art pipe bowl screen.

FIG. 1B is a cross sectional view of a pipe bowl and a prior art screen loosely fitting into the pipe bowl.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the exemplary pipe smoking apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the pipe smoking system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the pipe smoking system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a pipe containing the pipe smoking system in use in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be understood that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes all equivalents known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods, techniques, devices, and materials are described. But any methods, techniques, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of the present invention. Structures described herein should also be understood to refer to functional equivalents of such structures.

References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “various embodiments,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include particular features, structures, or characteristics. However, not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular features, structures, or characteristics. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an exemplary embodiment,” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment although they may. A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present invention.

As is well known to those skilled in the art, many careful considerations and compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimal manufacture of a commercial implementation of such rotary propulsion engines. A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of the invention may be configured according to the needs of the particular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art.

The exemplary pipe smoking apparatus and method will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1A is a top view of a typical prior art pipe screen 100. Such a screen is typically made from a mesh of a metal such as brass or stainless steel, with a set thickness, and are sold as circular discs.

FIG. 1B is a cross sectional view of a pipe bowl with a folded pipe screen 100 inside. Because pipe screens are made of metal and metal alloys, screens are often difficult to mold to the shape of a pipe bowl. Many times, screens must be carefully folded and manipulated so as to create a proper fit inside a typical pipe bowl. Furthermore, numerous pipe bowls are made of materials having a low coefficient of sliding friction. As such, pipe screens often slide out of the bowl or slide clear of the draft hole making use of the pipe difficult and potentially hazardous.

FIG. 2 represents a cross-sectional view of an exemplary pipe smoking apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. A representation of a generic pipe bowl 202 and shank and/or stem 204 are illustrated. Situated inside the bowl and standing up vertically is the exemplary pipe smoking apparatus 206. The pipe smoking apparatus is held in place under its own weight, by the distal end resting in the pipe stem, and with the tobacco, tobacco-like material or any other smokable material 208 surrounding the apparatus. The pipe smoking apparatus 206 comprises a malleable metal wire having a linear proximal end 210, a linear distal end 212 and a plurality of shaped windings 214 situated between the and connecting the linear proximal end to the linear distal end with a gas passage 216 formed from the shaped windings and the space inside the shaped windings. Persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate that there are numerous means of making such windings from metal wire. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a helical coil configuration is employed where three windings are used. However, a number greater or less than three coils may be used depending largely on the type of smoking pipe is used and the shape of the coils. The metal wire may be made from a number of metals or metal alloys such as, but not limited to, iron, steel, stainless steel, silver, silver alloys, copper or copper alloys. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the malleable metal wire's thickness is 20 AWG (American Wire Gauge). However, the malleable metal wire's thickness may vary and may be bent or shaped into a number of configurations to suit a user's needs. The pipe smoking apparatus allows for efficient air passage through the smoking material, the coil windings and the gas passage 216 from the bowl 202 into the draft hole 218.

The pipe smoking apparatus further comprises an ornamental handle 220 attached to the proximal end. It will be apparent to persons having skill in the art that the ornamental handle may be attached by adhesives, or it may be welded, or it may be attached by threading the proximal end 210 through the ornamental handle 220. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the ornamental handle is made of glass. However, numerous other materials such as, but not limited to, ceramic, gemstone, stone, wood or crystal may be used. In some embodiments of the invention, the ornamental handle may take on the shape of a sphere or an icosahedron or other polyhedron. The ornamental handle may serve as a thermal insulator so as to protect the user's hand and fingers when operating. In alternative embodiments, the handle may be a flat shape. In certain embodiments of the invention, the distal end 222 of the pipe smoking apparatus may be a flat or blunted shape. In other embodiments of the invention, the distal end 222 may take on a triangular, blade shape. In even more embodiments of the invention, the distal end 222 may take on a pointed shape. The distal end of the wire may also be cut by the user to accommodate various pipe bowls and pipe stem lengths.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the exemplary pipe smoking apparatus. Persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the invention may be customized in numerous ways. In this embodiment, an icosahedral handle 302 has been attached to the distal end. Additionally, a knife shaped scraping tool has 304 been shaped on the distal end. Persons having skill in the art will recognize that the distal end may be shaped in numerous way so as to provide for a better cleaning tool or for the pipe smoking apparatus to nestle in a pipe stem.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the exemplary pipe smoking apparatus. In this embodiment, a disc-shaped handle 306 has been attached to the distal end. Persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate that a shaped handle may accommodate a logo 308 for advertising purposes. Additionally, a point ended tool 310 has been shaped on the distal end.

Alternative embodiments contemplated as within the scope of the present invention are variations of the number of wire coils. Furthermore, the shape of the coils need not be limited to a purely helical and cylindrical shape. Alternative shapes for the coil could be spherical or truncated in nature.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a typical pipe containing the exemplary pipe smoking system and a hand manipulating the tobacco or tobacco-like substance by manipulating the ornamental handle. Use of the pipe smoking apparatus involves inserting the distal end of the apparatus into the draft hole of the pipe bowl. Tobacco or a tobacco-like substance is then inserted into the pipe bowl which surrounds the helical coil. This process creates smoke passages from the coils as well as the aperture in the coil itself which allows smoke to pass from the chamber into the draft hole and into the pipe stem. Concentrates of tobacco and tobacco-like products may be applied directly to the coils and the distal end of the apparatus then inserted into the draft hole so as to slide the apparatus in place. Heat or an open flame is then applied to the material, while the user draws or inhales the combusting smoke. The user may manipulate the tobacco-like substance by manipulating the ornamental handle when desired. Additionally, the pipe smoking apparatus may be gently lifted to provide a purge valve from pipes with larger smoke chambers such as hookahs and waterpipes. The pipe smoking apparatus may optionally be used as a pipe cleaning tool should the need arise.

Having fully described at least one embodiment of the exemplary pipe smoking apparatus and method, other equivalent or alternative methods of implementing the pipe smoking apparatus and method according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Various aspects of the invention have been described above by way of illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. The particular implementation of the pipe smoking apparatus and method may vary depending upon the particular context or application.

By way of example, and not limitation, the pipe smoking apparatus and method described in the foregoing patent application is principally directed towards a standard tobacco pipe. However, similar techniques may instead be applied to water pipes or hookahs or specialty glass and ceramic pipes, which implementations of the present invention are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention. The invention is thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims. It is to be further understood that not all of the disclosed embodiments in the foregoing specification will necessarily satisfy or achieve each of the objects, advantages, or improvements described in the foregoing specification.

Although specific features of the invention are shown in some drawings and not others, persons skilled in the art will understand that this is for convenience. Each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the invention. The words “including,” “comprising,” “having,” and “with” as used herein are to be interpreted broadly and comprehensively, and are not limited to any physical interconnection. Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numbering and lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken to indicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims to be added at a later date.

All the features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Any amendment presented during the prosecution of the application for this patent is not a disclaimer of any claim element presented in the description or claims to be filed. Persons skilled in the art cannot reasonably be expected to draft a claim that would literally encompass each and every equivalent. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A pipe smoking apparatus comprising: a malleable metal wire having a linear proximal end, a linear distal end and a plurality of shaped windings, the plurality of said shaped windings between and connecting the linear proximal end to the linear distal end configured to be surrounded by tobacco or a tobacco-like substance with gas passages formed from the said shaped windings and the space inside said shaped windings.
 2. The pipe smoking apparatus of claim 1 wherein the thickness of the metal wire may vary.
 3. The pipe smoking apparatus of claim 1 wherein the metal is steel or alloy steel.
 4. The pipe smoking apparatus of claim 1 wherein the metal is silver or a silver alloy.
 5. The pipe smoking apparatus of claim 1 wherein the metal is copper or a copper alloy.
 6. The pipe smoking apparatus of claim 1 wherein the proximal end is connected to an ornamental handle.
 7. The pipe smoking apparatus of claim 1 wherein the proximal end of said metal wire is shaped into an ornamental handle.
 8. The pipe smoking apparatus of claim 1 wherein the distal end is shaped in the form of a point.
 9. The pipe smoking apparatus of claim 1 wherein the distal end is shaped in the form of a scraping blade.
 10. A pipe smoking apparatus comprising; a malleable metal wire having a linear proximal end, a linear distal end and a plurality of helical coil windings, the plurality of said helical coil windings between and connecting the linear proximal end to the linear distal end configured to be surrounded by tobacco or a tobacco-like substance with gas passages formed from the said helical coil windings and the space inside the said helical windings.
 11. The pipe smoking apparatus of claim 10 wherein the thickness of the metal may vary.
 12. The pipe smoking apparatus of claim 10 wherein the metal is steel or alloy steel.
 13. The pipe smoking apparatus of claim 10 wherein the metal is silver or a silver alloy.
 14. The pipe smoking apparatus of claim 10 wherein the proximal end is connected to an ornamental handle.
 15. The pipe smoking apparatus of claim 10 wherein the proximal end of said metal wire is shaped into an ornamental handle.
 16. The pipe smoking apparatus of claim 10 wherein the proximal end of said metal wire is shaped into an ornamental handle.
 17. The pipe smoking apparatus of claim 10 wherein the distal end is shaped in the form of a point.
 18. The pipe smoking apparatus of claim 10 wherein the distal end is shaped in the form of a scraping blade.
 19. A method of smoking tobacco or tobacco-like substances using the pipe smoking apparatus of claim 1 comprising the steps of: a. inserting the distal end of the pipe smoking apparatus into a pipe draft hole; b. loading tobacco or tobacco-like substance around the shaped windings; c. applying a heat source to the tobacco or tobacco-like substance; d. manipulating the tobacco or tobacco-like substance by manipulating the ornamental handle; e. emptying the combustion byproducts; f. optionally using the said pipe smoking apparatus to clean the pipe bowl and draft hole. 